Crazy – madness or insanity, possessed by inordinate excitement.
I had a crazy weekend with many unexpected turns, rearranged schedules and blown expectations of what was planned. My plans changed and re-changed as God gave His direction, not in a complete picture of understanding, but in small glimpses of how we could help by being flexible.
A few things come to mind looking back at the last few days. The saying “go with the flow” and scripture in Proverbs 16.
Go With the Flow. This idiom has several interpretations of meaning. One dictionary says it means to cope with adversity; to accept one’s lot. Another explains it as moving along with the prevailing forces, accepting the prevailing trend. This would be much like the familiar picture of a school of fish all swimming in one direction. As I looked at several other explanations of the saying, ‘go with the flow’, I realized that my use of these words didn’t really match up with all the definitions given. Rather, my mind considers that going with the flow means to accept whatever direction God points. It’s more than just coping with adversity, it’s looking at changes with a mindset that God’s plans will prevail and His plans are always better than the schedule I set for myself. It is in that sense, to accept and move forward in His lead, that ‘go with the flow’ is a good description of this last weekend. The adjective crazy does still apply however! Maybe insanity is a coping mechanism?!
The Bible always has the best interpretation of how I should be thinking, and it is always on point. Proverbs 16:9 says “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps”. This verse sounds like my life! The meaning of mind, or heart in the KJV, includes the feelings, will and intellect; basically everything about him. Man plans his way. I make plans, you probably make plans also. We certainly make choices, we consider what direction to take, and we write our schedules in a calendar to keep track of them. This is all good – as long as we’re ready to release our goals to be rearranged, flipped upside down or even thrown out by God’s better plans. When I looked up the Hebrew word for ‘directs’, I found it contains the words faithfulness, perfect, preparation, provide, stable and establish. God doesn’t just play a game with us, moving us like pawns on a chessboard hoping everything will turn out as planned. He has specifically established His perfect plan for our lives. He is in control of all things and He is faithful! This seems to go along with the verse in Romans 8:28.
Ro 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose.
Yes, the events of this last weekend were not at all what we had planned! We were going to celebrate our son-in-law’s birthday – He was called to take a last minute flight to family that was ill. My oldest granddaughter and I had plans to work on a sewing project, we even purchased the fabric, then it became evident that just a time of snuggling and talk and encouragement was a much higher priority. Our oldest son and his wife received news of complications of health in a family member. Again, our plans were redirected to help with their children so they could attend to encouraging others. Tired? Yes! Actually, kind of exhausted. But, God is faithful! We even had the energy to keep one of our grandsons overnight last evening so his Mommy could go to work. Blessings? Yes! From God – a calm, gentle spirit through all; thankfulness that He kept us available; encouragement by the responses in our grown children to immediately help others and the blessing to see their reliance upon God; opportunities to discuss with my oldest granddaughter how topsy-turvy events can still be a blessing; sweet early morning hugs from a grandson and many more blessings I’m sure we don’t even recognize. One more blessing of thankfulness to point out – I’m really thankful for the energy God gave me when I was younger to raise my kids! Children take an enormous amount of time. I am reminded to always keep our young families in prayer for steadfastness each day in God’s strength.
I don’t necessarily enjoy roller coasters, but this crazy, eventful life God has given me is definitely a reminder that I need to stay grounded in him through all the unexpected turns and somersaults He faithfully allows in my plans. For His good. Because I love Him and am called by Him!
I pray your direction is clear, your plans remain flexible and your Savior blesses the socks off your feet as you follow Him in all things!
